Pope Francis talks with President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, in Strasbourg, France, Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014. Photo by EPA/BGNES
"One of the diseases I see as most widespread in Europe is solitude, typical for those who do not have any relations. It is particularly seen in elderly people, often left to their own destiny, as well as in young people with no points of reference and opportunities for the future; it is equally seen in the numerous poor people inhabiting our cities and in the lost-looking eyes of the immigrants who came here to look for a better future."
Pope Francis commenting on the challenges ahead of Europe during a visit to the European Parliament on Tuesday. The head of the Catholic Church also took the occasion to describe in a nutshell how Europe looks nowadays:
"One receives the general impression that Europe is a grandmother who is neither fertile nor vivacious anymore."